“Rising employment and income levels have seen grant applications drop, despite funding being available again for postgraduate students this year. At the close of applications this week, the total number of claims for support with fees and living costs was 87,738 which was 0.3%, or 264, less than the same time last year …” (more)

“There has been a more than 5% drop in school leavers opting for nursing as their first choice of career this year, according to new figures released on Friday by the Central Applications Office. The latest figures show those applying to study nursing are down 325 (-5.47%) to 5,629, while applications for places in other healthcare-related courses where salaries are generally considered to be higher have increased 219 (+9.7%) to 2,464 …” (more)

“The door to the introduction of student fees was left open this week after the government opposed a motion against third level student loans. The Labour motion raised in the Seanad called on the government to affirm its commitment to providing equality of access to education and to reject any move to implement an income contingent loan scheme to fund third level education …” (more)

“College applicants this year are expressing more confidence in the strength of the Irish economy and in its potential to provide high-quality employment opportunities. Over 80,000 applicants are seeking a college place, of whom 71,597 have listed at least one level 8 honours degree course and 45,393 a level 7/6 ordinary degree or higher cert programme …” (more)

“The chase for a college home is getting tougher in the face of rising rents and landlord demands for 12-month leases. The national housing crisis is particularly acute in the larger cities and towns – the very areas where universities and other colleges are based – and students are feeling the squeeze …” (more)

“More time is being sought for a Greenway Enhancement Project at NUI Galway in Newcastle. The college is looking for an extension of planning permission for the N6 underpass and approach roads near the Quincentenary Bridge …” (more)

UCD’s student to staff ratio hits 23:1(19 February) - "Figures released in the latest Higher Education Authority (HEA) report has highlighted a national trend that the ratio of students to staff in Irish...